US20010044780A1 - Digital contents distribution system capable of flexibly changing using conditions - Google Patents
Digital contents distribution system capable of flexibly changing using conditions Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010044780A1 US20010044780A1 US09/131,386 US13138698A US2001044780A1 US 20010044780 A1 US20010044780 A1 US 20010044780A1 US 13138698 A US13138698 A US 13138698A US 2001044780 A1 US2001044780 A1 US 2001044780A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- contents
- verify logic
- digital
- execution
- digital contents
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000012795 verification Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 24
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 20
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 20
- 238000005538 encapsulation Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F21/00—Security arrangements for protecting computers, components thereof, programs or data against unauthorised activity
- G06F21/10—Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material ; Digital rights management [DRM]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a digital contents distribution system for vending digital contents on an open wide-area network such as the Internet, and particularly to a digital contents distribution system that can implement the copyright management and charge management of the vended digital contents, and prevent the piracy thereof.
- FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a conventional digital contents distribution system disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open No. 8-6784/1996, for example.
- the reference numeral 101 designates a user terminal; 102 designates use control means; 103 designates locking/destroying processing means; 104 designates software/copyrightable works; 105 designates continued use request processing means; 106 designates unlocking/reusing processing means; 107 designates management equipment of a distributor (vendor); 108 designates user information management means; 109 designates capability examination processing means; and 110 designates license renewal processing means.
- the software/copyrightable works 104 embedding the locking/destroying processing means 103 are transmitted together with a key to the user terminal 101 of a vendee through a communication channel.
- the user terminal 101 exploits the software by unlocking it using the key.
- the software or work is automatically locked or destroyed on the expiration date in order to stop its operation.
- the capability examination processing means 109 makes a decision referring to the contents of the user information management means 108
- the license renewal processing means 110 transmits, unless there is any problem, a new key or product to the user terminal 101 via a communication channel.
- the user terminal 101 receives the key or the product, and continues using the software or product until the next expiration date by unlocking it with the unlocking/reusing processing means 106 .
- the conventional digital contents distribution system has a problem of strictly restricting not only the expiration date, but also a range of available functions and data that can be referred to, and hence of being unable to generate a trial-use version of the contents by flexibly designating them.
- the conventional digital contents distribution system has a problem of paying little attention to the embedding of user information into the digital contents, or the embedding is committed to the intention of the user.
- the conventional digital contents distribution system has a problem in that since the charge timing is concurrent with the provision of the digital contents or decryption key, the user is apt to refuse it.
- the present invention is implemented to solve the foregoing problems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a digital contents distribution system that can generate a trial-use version of the contents which enables available conditions or functions to be set flexibly.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital contents distribution system capable of implementing copyright protection without imposing too much burden on an author, in a configuration including a copyright management agency.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a digital contents distribution system capable of implementing digital watermarking; digital signature, encryption and integration of execution verify logic without complicated procedure.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital contents distribution system capable of making it difficult for a distributor to learn the key of the contents.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provided a digital contents distribution system that can inseparably embedding precise user information into the contents without any complicated procedure, and can prevent unauthorized copy or distribution thereof.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital contents distribution system that makes it possible for the distributor to acquire charge information at a time when the user carries out processing for enabling the digital contents.
- a digital contents distribution system comprising: a digital contents distribution center that distributes digital contents; at least one user terminal that receives the digital contents; and an information transmission medium that interconnects the digital contents distribution center and the user terminal, wherein the digital contents distribution center comprises: link means for generating a first execution verify logic that carries out verification and execution control of the digital contents, and for linking the first execution verify logic with the digital contents; and execution verify logic conversion software generating means for generating a second execution verify logic that carries out verification and execution control of the digital contents, and for generating execution verify logic conversion software for replacing the first execution verify logic linked to the digital contents with the second execution verify logic to form a new linkage of the digital contents and the second execution verify logic, wherein the digital contents distribution center provides the user terminal with at least part of the execution verify logic conversion software and the digital contents linked with the first execution verify logic, via the information transmission medium.
- the second execution verify logic may have less severe execution restrictions than the first execution verify logic.
- the digital contents distribution center may provide the user terminal with the execution verify logic conversion software and the digital contents linked with the first execution verify logic, via a communication channel.
- the link means may comprise: contents key generating means for generating a contents key for encrypting at least part of the digital contents; contents encrypting means for encrypting at least part of the digital contents using the contents key generated by the contents key generating means; digital watermarking means for inseparably incorporating predetermined information into the digital contents using digital watermarking; digital signature generating means for generating a digital signature of the digital contents; first identifier generating means for generating a hash value of the first execution verify logic as a first message identifier; and contents link means for linking the digital signature, the first execution verify logic and the first message identifier with the digital contents which have been encrypted at least in part by the contents encrypting means, and undergone digital watermarking by the digital watermarking means.
- the execution verify logic conversion software generating means may comprise: encrypted contents management means for managing, in connection with the contents key, the first message identifier of the digital contents encrypted by the contents encrypting means; second identifier generating means for generating a hash value of the second execution verify logic as a second message identifier; and second execution verify logic generating means for generating the second execution verify logic in accordance with its specifications transmitted from the digital contents distribution center; and conversion software generating means for generating execution verify logic conversion software for replacing the first execution verify logic with the second execution verify logic generated by the second execution verify logic generating means.
- the second execution verify logic may comprise: digital signature verify means for verifying digital signature of the digital contents; identifier verify means for verifying the second message identifier; contents key storage means for storing the contents key; contents key storage decision means for making a decision whether the contents key is stored in the contents key storage means; and decrypting means for decrypting, using the contents key, the digital contents which have been encrypted, when the contents key is stored in the contents key storage means.
- the contents key storage means may store the contents key which has been encrypted using a public key of a user to whom the digital contents are to be distributed.
- the second execution verify logic may comprise private key acquisition means for acquiring a private key of the user, wherein the decrypting means may decrypt, using the private key of the user, the contents key stored in the contents key storage means, and decrypt, using the contents key decrypted, the digital contents encrypted by the contents encrypting means.
- the execution verify logic conversion software may comprise user information embedding means for embedding user information into the digital contents using digital watermarking.
- the execution verify logic conversion software may comprise charge information providing means for transmitting charge information to the digital contents distribution center via the information transmission medium, when the first execution verify logic is changed to the second execution verify logic.
- a digital contents distribution system comprising: an author terminal of an author who creates digital contents; a copyright management agency, serving as a deputy of the author, for carrying out copyright management of the digital contents the author creates; a digital contents distribution center that distributes the digital contents; at least one user terminal that receives the digital contents; and an information transmission medium that interconnects the author terminal, the copyright management agency, the digital contents distribution center and the user terminal, wherein the author terminal comprises link means for generating first execution verify logic that carries out verification and execution control of the digital contents, and for linking the first execution verify logic with the digital contents, wherein the copyright management agency comprises execution verify logic conversion software generating means for generating a second execution verify logic in accordance with specifications of the second execution verify logic transmitted from the digital contents distribution center, and for generating execution verify logic conversion software for replacing the first execution verify logic with the second execution verify logic, and wherein the digital contents distribution center comprises specifications generating means for generating the specifications of the second execution verify
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of an embodiment 1 of a digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a digitized contents generated by contents encapsulation means in the embodiment 1;
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the embodiment 1 of the digital contents distribution system
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of an embodiment 2 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the embodiment 2 of the digital contents distribution system
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of contents encapsulation means of an embodiment 3 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of execution verify logic conversion software generating means of the embodiment 3 of the digital contents distribution system
- FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a structure of a second execution verify logic of the embodiment 3 of the digital contents distribution system
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of contents encapsulation in the embodiment 3.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of generating execution verify logic conversion software in the embodiment 3;
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a structure of a second execution verify logic of an embodiment 4 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the generating operation of the execution verify logic conversion software in the embodiment 4.
- FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a structure of execution verify logic conversion software of an embodiment 5 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the generating operation of the execution verify logic conversion software in the embodiment 5;
- FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a structure of execution verify logic conversion software of an embodiment 6 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a conventional digital contents distribution system.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of an embodiment 1 of a digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- the reference numeral 1 designates a digital contents distribution center for distributing the digital contents
- each reference numeral 2 designates a user terminal for receiving the digital contents to exploit them
- 3 designates an information transmission medium interconnecting the digital contents distribution center 1 with user terminals 2 for conveying information
- 4 designates contents encapsulation means (link means) for generating execution verify logic and linking it with the digital contents
- 5 designates execution verify logic conversion software generating means for generating execution verify logic conversion software including execution verify logic conversion means for converting the execution verify logic of encapsulated contents into a newly generated execution verify logic.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing digitized contents the contents encapsulation means 4 generates.
- the reference numeral 6 designates encapsulated contents; 7 designates a first execution verify logic that provides execution verify means for carrying out execution control and verification of the digital contents; and 8 designates digital contents which is digital information.
- the digital contents 8 include, for example, images, motion pictures, voice, text, software or their combinations.
- the first execution verify logic 7 consists of codes for controlling reference and execution operations in the course of displaying initial messages at a start, verifying the current digital contents 8 , and making decisions of a user ID, machine ID or date and time, and is described using programming interface prepared for manipulating the digital contents 8 .
- the decisions can be made by comparing values obtained during the execution with values embedded into the first execution verify logic 7 , or by comparing the hash values of the two.
- FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present embodiment 1 of the digital contents distribution system.
- step ST 1 the contents encapsulation means 4 in the digital contents distribution center 1 generates the first execution verify logic 7 , and combines it with the digital contents 8 which have been generated using a tool like an authoring tool, thereby producing the encapsulated contents 6 .
- the digital contents distribution center 1 distributes to the user terminal 2 through the information transmission medium 3 the encapsulated contents 6 generated in step ST 1 .
- the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in the digital contents distribution center 1 first generates second execution verify logic, and then generates execution verify logic conversion software including execution verify logic conversion means for replacing the first execution verify logic 7 in the encapsulated contents 6 with the second execution verify logic.
- the first execution verify logic 7 and the second execution verify logic will be described in more detail later in connection with FIG. 8 in an embodiment 3.
- step ST 4 the digital contents distribution center 1 distributes to the user terminal 2 through the information transmission medium 3 the execution verify logic conversion software generated in step ST 3 .
- step ST 5 the user terminal 2 applies the execution verify logic conversion software distributed at step ST 4 to the encapsulated contents 6 distributed in step ST 2 , thereby replacing the first execution verify logic 7 in the encapsulated contents 6 with the second execution verify logic.
- steps ST 2 and ST 3 can be exchanged, and steps ST 2 and ST 4 can be executed concurrently.
- the encapsulated contents 6 including the first execution verify logic 7 can be distributed to the user in advance as a trial-use version.
- the first execution verify logic 7 which is initially linked with the digital contents 8 to generate the encapsulated contents 6 , is replaced afterward with the second execution verify logic.
- This enables the encapsulated contents 6 including the first execution verify logic 7 to be distributed as a trial-use digital contents whose operation is restricted, and then enables the execution verify logic conversion software to be distributed that replaces the first execution verify logic 7 with the second execution verify logic with a looser restriction, if the user sends to the digital contents distribution center 1 a request for purchasing them, and pays the charge for the request.
- Receiving the execution verify logic conversion software the user applies it to the trial-use encapsulated contents 6 , and this enables the actual-use encapsulated contents 6 to be installed. This offers an advantage of making it possible for the distributor to obtain charge information when the user carries out a processing for enabling the digital contents, and to permit the user to exploit the digital contents in accordance with the charge.
- the present embodiment 1 replaces the execution verify logic. This offers an advantage of being able not only to switch between the execution and cancellation of restricting conditions embedded in advance into the digital contents, but also to flexibly change control conditions subsequently of the digital contents.
- the digital contents distribution center 1 encapsulates the digital contents and generates the execution verify logic conversion software.
- the digital contents distribution system of the present embodiment 2 reinforces the copyright protection of an original author as compared with the embodiment 1.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of the present embodiment 2 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention, in which like or corresponding portions to those of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted here.
- the reference numeral 9 designates an author terminal used by an author of the digital contents
- 10 designates a copyright management agency that carries out the copyright management on behalf of the author
- 11 designates execution verify logic specifications generating means (specifications generating means) for generating specifications of the second execution verify logic, which are to be provided to the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5
- 12 designates execution verify logic verify means (compare and verify means) for verifying the execution verify logic of the execution verify logic conversion software.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present embodiment 2 of the digital contents distribution system.
- step ST 11 the contents encapsulation means 4 in the author terminal 9 generates the first execution verify logic 7 , and combines it with the digital contents 8 to produce the encapsulated contents 6 .
- the encapsulated contents 6 generated in step ST 11 are distributed to the user terminal 2 through the information transmission medium 3 .
- the distribution can be carried out by the author terminal 9 , or via the copyright management agency 10 or via the digital contents distribution center 1 . Alternatively, it can be carried out through a public communication network, or by way of a medium such as CD-ROMs or broadcasting.
- the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 in the digital contents distribution center 1 generates the specifications of the second execution verify logic that the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 will substitute for the first execution verify logic 7 .
- the specifications of the second execution verify logic can be execution verify logic itself, or take other forms such as description using a formal language.
- the specifications of the second execution verify logic is transmitted via the information transmission medium 3 to the copyright management agency 10 , in which the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 generates the execution verify logic conversion software including the second execution verify logic in accordance with the specifications.
- step ST 15 the execution verify logic conversion software generated in step ST 14 is transmitted via the information transmission medium 3 to the digital contents distribution center 1 , in which the execution verify logic verify means 12 verifies the second execution verify logic obtained from the execution verify logic conversion software.
- the verification makes a decision whether or not the execution verify logic conversion software can replace the first execution verify logic 7 with the second execution verify logic generated in step ST 13 in accordance with the specifications.
- step ST 16 the digital contents distribution center 1 distributes to the user terminal 2 through the information transmission medium 3 the execution verify logic conversion software verified in step ST 15 , if a positive verification result is obtained at step ST 15 .
- the user terminal 2 applies the execution verify logic conversion software distributed at step ST 16 to the encapsulated contents 6 distributed at step ST 12 , and replaces the first execution verify logic 7 in the encapsulated contents 6 with the second execution verify logic 17 , thereby installing it.
- the encapsulated contents 6 has the same structure as the encapsulated contents 6 of the embodiment 1 as shown in FIG. 2.
- step ST 15 If the verification in step ST 15 provides a negative result, that is, if unintended execution verify logic conversion software is transmitted to the digital contents distribution center 1 , a warning message is presented, for example.
- the digital contents distribution center 1 can abandon the distribution to the user, and take steps such as making protest to the copyright management agency 10 .
- the copyright management agency 10 generates the execution verify logic conversion software. This offers an advantage of enabling the author to follow the distribution state by the distributor.
- the present embodiment 2 has an advantage that the distributor can grant a user a license in accordance with the charge as in the foregoing embodiment 1 .
- the author can carry out the copyright management, and the distributor the charge management.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detail of the contents encapsulation means 4 in an embodiment 3 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- the reference numeral 4 designates contents encapsulation means similar to that described in connection with FIG.
- 21 designates execution verify logic generating means for generating the first execution verify logic
- 22 designates contents key generating means for generating a symmetric key (contents key) for encrypting the digital contents
- 23 designates contents encrypting means for encrypting the digital contents using the contents key generated by the contents key generating means 22
- 24 designates copyright information embedding means (digital watermarking means) for embedding, using digital watermarking, into the digital contents the copyright information designated by the author
- 25 designates digital signature generating means for generating a digital signature for the digital contents into which the copyright information is embedded
- 26 designates message identifier generating means for generating a message identifier of the first execution verify logic generated by the execution verify logic generating means 21
- 27 designates contents link means for linking the first execution verify logic and the message identifier with the digital contents which undergoes the electronic watermark and encryption.
- FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the detail of the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 .
- the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the message identifier generating means 26 is the same as that of FIG. 6.
- the reference numeral 28 designates contents key management means (encrypted contents management means) for managing the contents key, which is generated by the contents key generating means 22 , in conjunction with the ID of the encrypted digital contents; 29 designates execution verify logic generating means for generating the second execution verify logic based on its specifications generated by the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the detail of the second execution verify logic.
- the reference numeral 17 designates a second execution verify logic similar to the first execution verify logic 7 as shown in FIG. 2; 31 designates digital signature verify means for verifying the validity of the digital signature added to the encapsulated contents; 32 designates message identifier verify means (identifier verify means) for verifying the validity of the message identifier added to the encapsulated-contents; 33 designates contents key storage means for storing the symmetric key used for encrypting the digital contents; 34 designates contents key decision means (contents key storage decision means) for making a decision as to whether the contents key is stored in the contents key storage means 33 ; and 35 designates contents decrypting means (decrypting means) for decrypting, using the contents key, the encrypted digital contents.
- the present embodiment 3 differs from the embodiments 1 and 2 in operations of encapsulating the digital contents and of generating the execution verify logic conversion software, and hence only the different operations will be described.
- contents encapsulation means 4 and execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 are provided in the same locations as those of the embodiment 2.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the encapsulation of the contents.
- step ST 21 the copyright information embedding means 24 in the author terminal 9 embeds into the digital contents of interest the copyright information designated by the author, using appropriate electronic watermark technique.
- the contents key generating means 22 generates the contents key for encrypting a part of or all of the digital contents to be encapsulated. In this case, portions to be restricted in use and reference are subjected to the encryption.
- the contents encrypting means 23 encrypts the digital contents using the contents key generated by the contents key generating means 22 in step ST 22 .
- the encrypted digital contents are each attached with an identifier that can be always referred to.
- the digital signature generating means 25 generates the digital signature of the encrypted digital contents.
- the private key used for encrypting the digital signature belongs to the author.
- the execution verify logic generating means 21 generates the first execution verify logic 7 with the same structure as that shown in FIG. 8.
- the contents key is not stored in the contents key storage means 33 of the initially generated first execution verify logic 7 .
- the encrypted digital contents cannot be decoded, and cannot be referred to nor executed in the start processing of the encapsulated contents.
- the contents key decision means 34 detects the contents key, and the contents decrypting means 35 decrypts the encrypted digital contents in the start processing, followed by the remaining processing.
- the message identifier generating means 26 calculates the hash value of the first execution verify logic 7 , and generates it as the message identifier of the first execution verify logic 7 .
- the first execution verify logic 7 the execution verify logic generating means 21 generates is structured such that it includes the message identifier verify means 32 for verifying its own message identifier.
- step ST 27 the contents link means 27 links the encrypted digital contents with the digital signature, the first execution verify logic 7 and its message identifier.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the generating operation of the execution verify logic conversion software.
- step ST 31 the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 obtains through the information transmission medium 3 the specifications of the second execution verify logic generated by the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 in the digital contents distribution center 1 .
- step ST 32 the execution verify logic generating means 29 of the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 checks whether or not the copyright management agency 10 can accept the specifications of the second execution verify logic obtained in step ST 31 , and proceeds to step ST 33 and onward if it can accept it.
- the contents key management means 28 is provided with the message identifier of the encrypted digital contents to obtain the symmetric key for encrypting the digital contents.
- step ST 34 the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 generates from the specifications of the second execution verify logic obtained in step ST 31 the second execution verify logic 17 including the digital signature verify means 31 for verifying the copyright information of the digital contents, the message identifier verify means 32 for verifying the tampering of the first execution verify logic 7 itself, the contents key storage means 33 for storing the contents key which is the symmetric key obtained at step ST 33 , the contents key decision means 34 for making a decision of the presence of the contents key, the contents decrypting means 35 for decrypting the encrypted digital contents, the contents control means 50 for controlling the restriction on the contents in terms of their use or reference, and the message identifier of the first execution verify logic 7 itself generated by the message identifier generating means 26 , thereby producing the execution verify logic conversion software to be substituted for the first execution verify logic 7 of the encapsulated contents 6 .
- the copyright information embedding means 24 is provided for inseparably embedding into the digital contents the copyright information designated by the author. This offers an advantage of being able to easily prevent the unlicensed use of the digital contents.
- the contents key generating means 22 and contents encrypting means 23 provided for encrypting the digital contents can offer an advantage of being able to easily prevent the unlicensed use or copy of the digital contents.
- the digital signature, the digital signature generating means 25 and the digital signature verify means 31 for verifying the digital signature can offer an advantage of being able to easily prevent the tampering of the digital contents, and to confirm the author without difficulty.
- generating the message identifiers of the execution verify logics and providing the message identifier generating means 26 and message identifier verify means 32 for verifying the message identifier can offer an advantage of being able to prevent the tampering of the execution verify logics themselves.
- the foregoing embodiment 3 generates the second execution verify logic 17 that includes the contents key storage means 33 for storing the contents key, and the like, generates the execution verify logic conversion software that substitutes the second execution verify logic 17 for the first execution verify logic 7 in the encapsulated contents 6 , and stores in the execution verify logic conversion software the contents key as it is for encrypting the digital contents.
- the present embodiment 4 of the digital contents distribution system exchanges more safely the contents key for encrypting the digital contents.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second execution verify logic 47 in the present embodiment 4 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- the same or corresponding portions to those of FIG. 8 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted here.
- the reference numeral 36 designates private key acquisition means for acquiring the private key of a user; and 37 designates private key storage means for storing the private key of the user of the user terminal 2 .
- the present embodiment 4 differs from the foregoing embodiment 3 in the operation for generating the execution verify logic conversion software.
- FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of generating the execution verify logic conversion software in the digital contents distribution system.
- the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 obtains through the information transmission medium 3 the specifications of the second execution verify logic 47 generated by the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 in the digital contents distribution center 1 , which corresponds to step ST 31 in the procedure of generating the execution verify logic conversion software in FIG. 10.
- the digital contents distribution center 1 acquires in step ST 41 of FIG. 12 the public key in a user's public key system, when it receives from the user a request to purchase the contents.
- the digital contents distribution center 1 transmits to the copyright management agency 10 the public key in conjunction with the specifications of the second execution verify logic 47 .
- the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in the copyright management agency 10 checks, as in the step ST 32 of FIG. 10, the specifications of the second execution verify logic 47 sent in the preceding step ST 42 , provides the contents key management means 28 with the message identifier of the digital contents subjected to the encryption, and acquires the contents key used for encrypting the digital contents as in the step ST 33 of FIG. 10. Then, before the contents key is stored in the contents key storage means 33 , it is encrypted using the user's public key sent in the preceding step ST 42 .
- the execution verify logic conversion software is generated which replaces the first execution verify logic 7 with the second execution verify logic 47 including the private key acquisition means 36 that acquires the user's private key.
- Steps ST 44 -ST 47 are the steps of generating the execution verify logic conversion software, which includes the steps of generating a set of the digital signature of the digital contents, second execution verify logic 47 , and its message identifier, and the link processing of them with the contents.
- the decryption of the encrypted digital contents is carried out as follows: First, the private key acquisition means 36 acquires the user's private key from the private key storage means 37 in the user terminal 2 ; second, the contents key stored in the contents key storage means 33 is decrypted using the private key; and then, the digital contents in the encapsulated contents are decrypted using the contents key.
- the present embodiment 4 is configured such that the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in the copyright management agency 10 places in the execution verify logic conversion software the contents key after encrypting it with the user's public key, and the contents are decrypted, when the user exploits them, with the contents key after decrypting the encrypted contents key with the user's private key.
- This offers an advantage of being able to implement a secure digital contents distribution system from which the distributor cannot easily retrieve the contents key.
- FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an execution verify logic conversion software in the embodiment 5 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- the reference numeral 38 designates the execution verify logic conversion software; 39 designates encapsulated contents verify means for verifying the digital contents and first execution verify logic, which are incorporated into the encapsulated contents 6 ; 40 designates execution verify logic storage means for storing the second execution verify logic which is a new substitute; 41 designates execution verify logic replacing means for replacing the execution verify logic; and 42 designates user information embedding means for embedding the user information.
- FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of generating the execution verify logic conversion software in the digital contents distribution system.
- step ST 51 the digital contents distribution center 1 acquires, when the user requires to purchase the contents, the user information such as the identifier, name and affiliation of the user.
- step ST 52 the digital contents distribution center 1 transmits to the copyright management agency 10 via the information transmission medium 3 the user information obtained in step ST 51 together with the specifications of the second execution verify logic.
- the subsequent step ST 53 generates the execution verify logic conversion software 38 including logic for embedding the user information into the digital contents, using the electronic watermark. More specifically, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in the copyright management agency 10 generates the execution verify logic conversion software 38 that includes the user information embedding means 42 for embedding the user information into the contents when the execution verify logic conversion software is activated.
- the present embodiment 5 exploits the user information accompanying his or her purchase request, it can embed precise user information into the execution verify logic conversion software 38 .
- the execution verify logic conversion software 38 includes the user information embedding means 42 for embedding the user information in the present embodiment. This offers an advantage of being able to embed the user information into the contents without any additional complicated procedure, when installing the actual-use contents instead of the trial-use contents.
- FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a structure of execution verify logic conversion software 48 in the present embodiment 6 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention.
- the same or corresponding portions to those of FIG. 13 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted here.
- the reference numeral 43 designates charge information providing means for transmitting the charge information from the user terminal 2 to the digital contents distribution center 1 via the information transmission medium 3 , when replacing the execution verify logic.
- the execution verify logic conversion software 48 is generated through the following process. First, the specifications of the second execution verify logic, which are generated by the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 in the digital contents distribution center 1 , are created such that they include a function to transmits, when the user activates the execution verify logic conversion software 48 , information such as the identifier of the contents, and the user's identifier, name, affiliation and the like, to the digital contents distribution center 1 through the information transmission medium 3 . Second, the logic to implement such a function and the destination address are placed into the specifications of the second execution verify logic. Third, the specifications are transmitted to the copyright management agency 10 through the information transmission medium 3 . Finally, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in the copyright management agency 10 generates the execution verify logic conversion software 48 including the charge information providing means 43 in accordance with the specifications.
- the present embodiment 6 transmits, when the execution verify logic conversion software 48 is activated, the information such as the user's identifier, name and affiliation, which are stored in advance, together with the identifier of the contents to the digital contents distribution center 1 .
- This offers an advantage of being able to charge when the contents is changed from the trial-use to actual-use version, that is, when the latter is installed.
- the present embodiment 6 is configured such that a tamper free area the user cannot freely rewrite is provided not in the digital contents distribution center 1 but in the user terminal 2 , that the tamper free area stores the user information such as his or her identifier, name and affiliation in conjunction with the identifier of the contents, and that the stored information can be obtained when the execution verify logic conversion software 48 is activated.
- This offers an advantage of being able to synchronize the installation of the actual-use version and the charge.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a digital contents distribution system for vending digital contents on an open wide-area network such as the Internet, and particularly to a digital contents distribution system that can implement the copyright management and charge management of the vended digital contents, and prevent the piracy thereof.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a conventional digital contents distribution system disclosed in Japanese patent application laid-open No. 8-6784/1996, for example. In FIG. 16, the
reference numeral 101 designates a user terminal; 102 designates use control means; 103 designates locking/destroying processing means; 104 designates software/copyrightable works; 105 designates continued use request processing means; 106 designates unlocking/reusing processing means; 107 designates management equipment of a distributor (vendor); 108 designates user information management means; 109 designates capability examination processing means; and 110 designates license renewal processing means. - Next, the operation of the conventional digital contents distribution system will be described.
- The software/
copyrightable works 104 embedding the locking/destroying processing means 103 are transmitted together with a key to theuser terminal 101 of a vendee through a communication channel. Theuser terminal 101 exploits the software by unlocking it using the key. The software or work is automatically locked or destroyed on the expiration date in order to stop its operation. If the user sends a request for the continued use to themanagement equipment 107 through the continued use request processing means 105, the capability examination processing means 109 makes a decision referring to the contents of the user information management means 108, and the license renewal processing means 110 transmits, unless there is any problem, a new key or product to theuser terminal 101 via a communication channel. Theuser terminal 101 receives the key or the product, and continues using the software or product until the next expiration date by unlocking it with the unlocking/reusing processing means 106. - With the foregoing configuration, the conventional digital contents distribution system has a problem of strictly restricting not only the expiration date, but also a range of available functions and data that can be referred to, and hence of being unable to generate a trial-use version of the contents by flexibly designating them.
- Furthermore, since the conventional digital contents distribution system takes little care of an author, it has a problem in that it cannot provide a structure or processing flow that readily enables the author to manage the copyright, and a distributor to manage the charge.
- In addition, since the distributor manages the encryption key of the digital contents in the conventional digital contents distribution system, the author must commit his or her product entirely to the custody of the distributor.
- Moreover, the conventional digital contents distribution system has a problem of paying little attention to the embedding of user information into the digital contents, or the embedding is committed to the intention of the user.
- Finally, the conventional digital contents distribution system has a problem in that since the charge timing is concurrent with the provision of the digital contents or decryption key, the user is apt to refuse it.
- The present invention is implemented to solve the foregoing problems. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a digital contents distribution system that can generate a trial-use version of the contents which enables available conditions or functions to be set flexibly.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital contents distribution system capable of implementing copyright protection without imposing too much burden on an author, in a configuration including a copyright management agency.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a digital contents distribution system capable of implementing digital watermarking; digital signature, encryption and integration of execution verify logic without complicated procedure.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital contents distribution system capable of making it difficult for a distributor to learn the key of the contents.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provided a digital contents distribution system that can inseparably embedding precise user information into the contents without any complicated procedure, and can prevent unauthorized copy or distribution thereof.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a digital contents distribution system that makes it possible for the distributor to acquire charge information at a time when the user carries out processing for enabling the digital contents.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital contents distribution system comprising: a digital contents distribution center that distributes digital contents; at least one user terminal that receives the digital contents; and an information transmission medium that interconnects the digital contents distribution center and the user terminal, wherein the digital contents distribution center comprises: link means for generating a first execution verify logic that carries out verification and execution control of the digital contents, and for linking the first execution verify logic with the digital contents; and execution verify logic conversion software generating means for generating a second execution verify logic that carries out verification and execution control of the digital contents, and for generating execution verify logic conversion software for replacing the first execution verify logic linked to the digital contents with the second execution verify logic to form a new linkage of the digital contents and the second execution verify logic, wherein the digital contents distribution center provides the user terminal with at least part of the execution verify logic conversion software and the digital contents linked with the first execution verify logic, via the information transmission medium.
- Here, the second execution verify logic may have less severe execution restrictions than the first execution verify logic.
- The digital contents distribution center may provide the user terminal with the execution verify logic conversion software and the digital contents linked with the first execution verify logic, via a communication channel.
- The link means may comprise: contents key generating means for generating a contents key for encrypting at least part of the digital contents; contents encrypting means for encrypting at least part of the digital contents using the contents key generated by the contents key generating means; digital watermarking means for inseparably incorporating predetermined information into the digital contents using digital watermarking; digital signature generating means for generating a digital signature of the digital contents; first identifier generating means for generating a hash value of the first execution verify logic as a first message identifier; and contents link means for linking the digital signature, the first execution verify logic and the first message identifier with the digital contents which have been encrypted at least in part by the contents encrypting means, and undergone digital watermarking by the digital watermarking means.
- The execution verify logic conversion software generating means may comprise: encrypted contents management means for managing, in connection with the contents key, the first message identifier of the digital contents encrypted by the contents encrypting means; second identifier generating means for generating a hash value of the second execution verify logic as a second message identifier; and second execution verify logic generating means for generating the second execution verify logic in accordance with its specifications transmitted from the digital contents distribution center; and conversion software generating means for generating execution verify logic conversion software for replacing the first execution verify logic with the second execution verify logic generated by the second execution verify logic generating means.
- The second execution verify logic may comprise: digital signature verify means for verifying digital signature of the digital contents; identifier verify means for verifying the second message identifier; contents key storage means for storing the contents key; contents key storage decision means for making a decision whether the contents key is stored in the contents key storage means; and decrypting means for decrypting, using the contents key, the digital contents which have been encrypted, when the contents key is stored in the contents key storage means.
- The contents key storage means may store the contents key which has been encrypted using a public key of a user to whom the digital contents are to be distributed.
- The second execution verify logic may comprise private key acquisition means for acquiring a private key of the user, wherein the decrypting means may decrypt, using the private key of the user, the contents key stored in the contents key storage means, and decrypt, using the contents key decrypted, the digital contents encrypted by the contents encrypting means.
- The execution verify logic conversion software may comprise user information embedding means for embedding user information into the digital contents using digital watermarking.
- The execution verify logic conversion software may comprise charge information providing means for transmitting charge information to the digital contents distribution center via the information transmission medium, when the first execution verify logic is changed to the second execution verify logic.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital contents distribution system comprising: an author terminal of an author who creates digital contents; a copyright management agency, serving as a deputy of the author, for carrying out copyright management of the digital contents the author creates; a digital contents distribution center that distributes the digital contents; at least one user terminal that receives the digital contents; and an information transmission medium that interconnects the author terminal, the copyright management agency, the digital contents distribution center and the user terminal, wherein the author terminal comprises link means for generating first execution verify logic that carries out verification and execution control of the digital contents, and for linking the first execution verify logic with the digital contents, wherein the copyright management agency comprises execution verify logic conversion software generating means for generating a second execution verify logic in accordance with specifications of the second execution verify logic transmitted from the digital contents distribution center, and for generating execution verify logic conversion software for replacing the first execution verify logic with the second execution verify logic, and wherein the digital contents distribution center comprises specifications generating means for generating the specifications of the second execution verify logic, and compare and verify means for comparing the second execution verify logic, which is included in the execution verify logic conversion software transmitted from the copyright management agency, with the specifications of the second execution verify logic, which are generated in the digital contents distribution center, to verify the second execution verify logic, and wherein the digital contents distribution center provides the user terminal with at least part of the execution verify logic conversion software and the digital contents linked with the first execution verify logic, via the information transmission medium.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of an
embodiment 1 of a digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention; - FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a digitized contents generated by contents encapsulation means in the
embodiment 1; - FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
embodiment 1 of the digital contents distribution system; - FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of an
embodiment 2 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention; - FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
embodiment 2 of the digital contents distribution system; - FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of contents encapsulation means of an
embodiment 3 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention; - FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of execution verify logic conversion software generating means of the
embodiment 3 of the digital contents distribution system; - FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a structure of a second execution verify logic of the
embodiment 3 of the digital contents distribution system; - FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of contents encapsulation in the
embodiment 3; - FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of generating execution verify logic conversion software in the
embodiment 3; - FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a structure of a second execution verify logic of an
embodiment 4 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention; - FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the generating operation of the execution verify logic conversion software in the
embodiment 4; - FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a structure of execution verify logic conversion software of an
embodiment 5 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention; - FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the generating operation of the execution verify logic conversion software in the
embodiment 5; - FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a structure of execution verify logic conversion software of an
embodiment 6 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention; and - FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a conventional digital contents distribution system.
- The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
Embodiment 1 - FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of an
embodiment 1 of a digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 1, thereference numeral 1 designates a digital contents distribution center for distributing the digital contents; eachreference numeral 2 designates a user terminal for receiving the digital contents to exploit them; 3 designates an information transmission medium interconnecting the digitalcontents distribution center 1 withuser terminals 2 for conveying information; 4 designates contents encapsulation means (link means) for generating execution verify logic and linking it with the digital contents; and 5 designates execution verify logic conversion software generating means for generating execution verify logic conversion software including execution verify logic conversion means for converting the execution verify logic of encapsulated contents into a newly generated execution verify logic. - FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing digitized contents the contents encapsulation means4 generates. In FIG. 2, the
reference numeral 6 designates encapsulated contents; 7 designates a first execution verify logic that provides execution verify means for carrying out execution control and verification of the digital contents; and 8 designates digital contents which is digital information. - Here, the
digital contents 8 include, for example, images, motion pictures, voice, text, software or their combinations. The first execution verifylogic 7 consists of codes for controlling reference and execution operations in the course of displaying initial messages at a start, verifying the currentdigital contents 8, and making decisions of a user ID, machine ID or date and time, and is described using programming interface prepared for manipulating thedigital contents 8. The decisions can be made by comparing values obtained during the execution with values embedded into the first execution verifylogic 7, or by comparing the hash values of the two. - Next, the operation of the
present embodiment 1 will be described. - FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
present embodiment 1 of the digital contents distribution system. - In step ST1, the contents encapsulation means 4 in the digital
contents distribution center 1 generates the first execution verifylogic 7, and combines it with thedigital contents 8 which have been generated using a tool like an authoring tool, thereby producing the encapsulatedcontents 6. - In the next step ST2, the digital
contents distribution center 1 distributes to theuser terminal 2 through theinformation transmission medium 3 the encapsulatedcontents 6 generated in step ST1. - In the subsequent step ST3, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in the digital
contents distribution center 1 first generates second execution verify logic, and then generates execution verify logic conversion software including execution verify logic conversion means for replacing the first execution verifylogic 7 in the encapsulatedcontents 6 with the second execution verify logic. - The first execution verify
logic 7 and the second execution verify logic will be described in more detail later in connection with FIG. 8 in anembodiment 3. - In step ST4, the digital
contents distribution center 1 distributes to theuser terminal 2 through theinformation transmission medium 3 the execution verify logic conversion software generated in step ST3. - In the next step ST5, the
user terminal 2 applies the execution verify logic conversion software distributed at step ST4 to the encapsulatedcontents 6 distributed in step ST2, thereby replacing the first execution verifylogic 7 in the encapsulatedcontents 6 with the second execution verify logic. - The order of steps ST2 and ST3 can be exchanged, and steps ST2 and ST4 can be executed concurrently. Besides, the encapsulated
contents 6 including the first execution verifylogic 7 can be distributed to the user in advance as a trial-use version. - According to the
present embodiment 1 , the first execution verifylogic 7, which is initially linked with thedigital contents 8 to generate the encapsulatedcontents 6, is replaced afterward with the second execution verify logic. This enables the encapsulatedcontents 6 including the first execution verifylogic 7 to be distributed as a trial-use digital contents whose operation is restricted, and then enables the execution verify logic conversion software to be distributed that replaces the first execution verifylogic 7 with the second execution verify logic with a looser restriction, if the user sends to the digital contents distribution center 1 a request for purchasing them, and pays the charge for the request. Receiving the execution verify logic conversion software, the user applies it to the trial-use encapsulatedcontents 6, and this enables the actual-use encapsulatedcontents 6 to be installed. This offers an advantage of making it possible for the distributor to obtain charge information when the user carries out a processing for enabling the digital contents, and to permit the user to exploit the digital contents in accordance with the charge. - With a configuration different from the conventional system which distributes the key for permission, the
present embodiment 1 replaces the execution verify logic. This offers an advantage of being able not only to switch between the execution and cancellation of restricting conditions embedded in advance into the digital contents, but also to flexibly change control conditions subsequently of the digital contents. - Furthermore, since the digital contents have a large capacity in general, their trail-use version can be distributed in the form of a CD-ROM or digital broadcasting, and the execution verify logic conversion software with a smaller capacity can be distributed through the Internet.
-
Embodiment 2 - In the foregoing
embodiment 1 , the digitalcontents distribution center 1 encapsulates the digital contents and generates the execution verify logic conversion software. The digital contents distribution system of thepresent embodiment 2 reinforces the copyright protection of an original author as compared with theembodiment 1. - FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of the
present embodiment 2 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention, in which like or corresponding portions to those of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted here. In FIG. 4, thereference numeral 9 designates an author terminal used by an author of the digital contents; 10 designates a copyright management agency that carries out the copyright management on behalf of the author; 11 designates execution verify logic specifications generating means (specifications generating means) for generating specifications of the second execution verify logic, which are to be provided to the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5; and 12 designates execution verify logic verify means (compare and verify means) for verifying the execution verify logic of the execution verify logic conversion software. - Next, the operation of the
present embodiment 2 will be described. - FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
present embodiment 2 of the digital contents distribution system. - In step ST11, the contents encapsulation means 4 in the
author terminal 9 generates the first execution verifylogic 7, and combines it with thedigital contents 8 to produce the encapsulatedcontents 6. - In the next step ST12, the encapsulated
contents 6 generated in step ST11 are distributed to theuser terminal 2 through theinformation transmission medium 3. The distribution can be carried out by theauthor terminal 9, or via thecopyright management agency 10 or via the digitalcontents distribution center 1. Alternatively, it can be carried out through a public communication network, or by way of a medium such as CD-ROMs or broadcasting. - In the subsequent step ST13, the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 in the digital
contents distribution center 1 generates the specifications of the second execution verify logic that the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 will substitute for the first execution verifylogic 7. The specifications of the second execution verify logic can be execution verify logic itself, or take other forms such as description using a formal language. - In the next step ST14, the specifications of the second execution verify logic is transmitted via the
information transmission medium 3 to thecopyright management agency 10, in which the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 generates the execution verify logic conversion software including the second execution verify logic in accordance with the specifications. - In the subsequent step ST15, the execution verify logic conversion software generated in step ST14 is transmitted via the
information transmission medium 3 to the digitalcontents distribution center 1, in which the execution verify logic verify means 12 verifies the second execution verify logic obtained from the execution verify logic conversion software. The verification makes a decision whether or not the execution verify logic conversion software can replace the first execution verifylogic 7 with the second execution verify logic generated in step ST13 in accordance with the specifications. - In step ST16, the digital
contents distribution center 1 distributes to theuser terminal 2 through theinformation transmission medium 3 the execution verify logic conversion software verified in step ST15, if a positive verification result is obtained at step ST15. - In the next step ST17, the
user terminal 2 applies the execution verify logic conversion software distributed at step ST16 to the encapsulatedcontents 6 distributed at step ST12, and replaces the first execution verifylogic 7 in the encapsulatedcontents 6 with the second execution verifylogic 17, thereby installing it. The encapsulatedcontents 6 has the same structure as the encapsulatedcontents 6 of theembodiment 1 as shown in FIG. 2. - If the verification in step ST15 provides a negative result, that is, if unintended execution verify logic conversion software is transmitted to the digital
contents distribution center 1, a warning message is presented, for example. Thus, the digitalcontents distribution center 1 can abandon the distribution to the user, and take steps such as making protest to thecopyright management agency 10. - According to the
present embodiment 2 , thecopyright management agency 10 generates the execution verify logic conversion software. This offers an advantage of enabling the author to follow the distribution state by the distributor. - Furthermore, since the distributor carries out the generation of the specifications of the substitute execution verify logic, and verifies the execution verify logic conversion software, the
present embodiment 2 has an advantage that the distributor can grant a user a license in accordance with the charge as in the foregoingembodiment 1 . In other words, the author can carry out the copyright management, and the distributor the charge management. -
Embodiment 3 - Although the description of the foregoing
embodiments - FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the detail of the contents encapsulation means4 in an
embodiment 3 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 6, thereference numeral 4 designates contents encapsulation means similar to that described in connection with FIG. 1; 21 designates execution verify logic generating means for generating the first execution verify logic; 22 designates contents key generating means for generating a symmetric key (contents key) for encrypting the digital contents; 23 designates contents encrypting means for encrypting the digital contents using the contents key generated by the contents key generating means 22; 24 designates copyright information embedding means (digital watermarking means) for embedding, using digital watermarking, into the digital contents the copyright information designated by the author; 25 designates digital signature generating means for generating a digital signature for the digital contents into which the copyright information is embedded; 26 designates message identifier generating means for generating a message identifier of the first execution verify logic generated by the execution verify logic generating means 21; and 27 designates contents link means for linking the first execution verify logic and the message identifier with the digital contents which undergoes the electronic watermark and encryption. - FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the detail of the execution verify logic conversion software generating means5. In FIG. 7, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the message identifier generating means 26 is the same as that of FIG. 6. The
reference numeral 28 designates contents key management means (encrypted contents management means) for managing the contents key, which is generated by the contents key generating means 22, in conjunction with the ID of the encrypted digital contents; 29 designates execution verify logic generating means for generating the second execution verify logic based on its specifications generated by the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 as shown in FIG. 4; and 30 designates conversion software generating means for generating the execution verify logic conversion software using the second execution verify logic generated by the execution verify logic generating means 29, the message identifier of the second execution verify logic generated by the message identifier generating means 26 and the symmetric key of the contents which is managed by the contents key management means 28. - FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the detail of the second execution verify logic. In FIG. 8, the
reference numeral 17 designates a second execution verify logic similar to the first execution verifylogic 7 as shown in FIG. 2; 31 designates digital signature verify means for verifying the validity of the digital signature added to the encapsulated contents; 32 designates message identifier verify means (identifier verify means) for verifying the validity of the message identifier added to the encapsulated-contents; 33 designates contents key storage means for storing the symmetric key used for encrypting the digital contents; 34 designates contents key decision means (contents key storage decision means) for making a decision as to whether the contents key is stored in the contents key storage means 33; and 35 designates contents decrypting means (decrypting means) for decrypting, using the contents key, the encrypted digital contents. - Next, the operation of the
present embodiment 3 will be described. - The
present embodiment 3 differs from theembodiments embodiment 2. - FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the encapsulation of the contents.
- In step ST21, the copyright
information embedding means 24 in theauthor terminal 9 embeds into the digital contents of interest the copyright information designated by the author, using appropriate electronic watermark technique. - In the next step ST22, the contents key generating means 22 generates the contents key for encrypting a part of or all of the digital contents to be encapsulated. In this case, portions to be restricted in use and reference are subjected to the encryption.
- In the subsequent step ST23, the
contents encrypting means 23 encrypts the digital contents using the contents key generated by the contents key generating means 22 in step ST22. The encrypted digital contents are each attached with an identifier that can be always referred to. - In the following step ST24, the digital signature generating means 25 generates the digital signature of the encrypted digital contents. In this case, the private key used for encrypting the digital signature belongs to the author.
- In the next step ST25, the execution verify logic generating means 21 generates the first execution verify
logic 7 with the same structure as that shown in FIG. 8. The contents key, however, is not stored in the contents key storage means 33 of the initially generated first execution verifylogic 7. Thus, the encrypted digital contents cannot be decoded, and cannot be referred to nor executed in the start processing of the encapsulated contents. In the case where the suitable contents key is stored in the contents key storage means 33, the contents key decision means 34 detects the contents key, and the contents decrypting means 35 decrypts the encrypted digital contents in the start processing, followed by the remaining processing. - Storing the decrypted digital contents in the main storage of the
user terminal 2 during the processings, and erasing them therefrom at the end of the processings can prevent them from being easily retrieved, improving the security against the infringement or unlicensed copy. - In the subsequent step ST26, the message identifier generating means 26 calculates the hash value of the first execution verify
logic 7, and generates it as the message identifier of the first execution verifylogic 7. The first execution verifylogic 7 the execution verify logic generating means 21 generates is structured such that it includes the message identifier verify means 32 for verifying its own message identifier. - In step ST27, the contents link means 27 links the encrypted digital contents with the digital signature, the first execution verify
logic 7 and its message identifier. - Next, the operation of generating the execution verify logic conversion software will be described.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the generating operation of the execution verify logic conversion software.
- First, in step ST31, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 obtains through the
information transmission medium 3 the specifications of the second execution verify logic generated by the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 in the digitalcontents distribution center 1. - In the next step ST32, the execution verify logic generating means 29 of the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 checks whether or not the
copyright management agency 10 can accept the specifications of the second execution verify logic obtained in step ST31, and proceeds to step ST33 and onward if it can accept it. - If it is found from the contents of the specifications of the second execution verify logic obtained in step ST31 that the decryption of the encrypted digital contents is necessary for carrying on the processing, the contents key management means 28 is provided with the message identifier of the encrypted digital contents to obtain the symmetric key for encrypting the digital contents.
- Finally, in step ST34, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 generates from the specifications of the second execution verify logic obtained in step ST31 the second execution verify
logic 17 including the digital signature verify means 31 for verifying the copyright information of the digital contents, the message identifier verify means 32 for verifying the tampering of the first execution verifylogic 7 itself, the contents key storage means 33 for storing the contents key which is the symmetric key obtained at step ST33, the contents key decision means 34 for making a decision of the presence of the contents key, the contents decrypting means 35 for decrypting the encrypted digital contents, the contents control means 50 for controlling the restriction on the contents in terms of their use or reference, and the message identifier of the first execution verifylogic 7 itself generated by the message identifier generating means 26, thereby producing the execution verify logic conversion software to be substituted for the first execution verifylogic 7 of the encapsulatedcontents 6. - According to the
embodiment 3 , the copyrightinformation embedding means 24 is provided for inseparably embedding into the digital contents the copyright information designated by the author. This offers an advantage of being able to easily prevent the unlicensed use of the digital contents. - In addition, the contents key generating means22 and contents encrypting means 23 provided for encrypting the digital contents can offer an advantage of being able to easily prevent the unlicensed use or copy of the digital contents.
- Furthermore, the digital signature, the digital signature generating means25 and the digital signature verify means 31 for verifying the digital signature can offer an advantage of being able to easily prevent the tampering of the digital contents, and to confirm the author without difficulty.
- Moreover, generating the message identifiers of the execution verify logics, and providing the message identifier generating means26 and message identifier verify means 32 for verifying the message identifier can offer an advantage of being able to prevent the tampering of the execution verify logics themselves.
-
Embodiment 4 - The foregoing
embodiment 3 generates the second execution verifylogic 17 that includes the contents key storage means 33 for storing the contents key, and the like, generates the execution verify logic conversion software that substitutes the second execution verifylogic 17 for the first execution verifylogic 7 in the encapsulatedcontents 6, and stores in the execution verify logic conversion software the contents key as it is for encrypting the digital contents. Thepresent embodiment 4 of the digital contents distribution system exchanges more safely the contents key for encrypting the digital contents. - FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second execution verify
logic 47 in thepresent embodiment 4 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 11, the same or corresponding portions to those of FIG. 8 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted here. In FIG. 11, thereference numeral 36 designates private key acquisition means for acquiring the private key of a user; and 37 designates private key storage means for storing the private key of the user of theuser terminal 2. - Next, the operation of the
present embodiment 4 will be described. - The
present embodiment 4 differs from the foregoingembodiment 3 in the operation for generating the execution verify logic conversion software. - FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of generating the execution verify logic conversion software in the digital contents distribution system.
- First, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means5 obtains through the
information transmission medium 3 the specifications of the second execution verifylogic 47 generated by the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 in the digitalcontents distribution center 1, which corresponds to step ST31 in the procedure of generating the execution verify logic conversion software in FIG. 10. In thepresent embodiment 4 ; however, the digitalcontents distribution center 1 acquires in step ST41 of FIG. 12 the public key in a user's public key system, when it receives from the user a request to purchase the contents. - In the subsequent step ST42, the digital
contents distribution center 1 transmits to thecopyright management agency 10 the public key in conjunction with the specifications of the second execution verifylogic 47. - In the next step ST43, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in the
copyright management agency 10 checks, as in the step ST32 of FIG. 10, the specifications of the second execution verifylogic 47 sent in the preceding step ST42, provides the contents key management means 28 with the message identifier of the digital contents subjected to the encryption, and acquires the contents key used for encrypting the digital contents as in the step ST33 of FIG. 10. Then, before the contents key is stored in the contents key storage means 33, it is encrypted using the user's public key sent in the preceding step ST42. - When the contents are decrypted, the execution verify logic conversion software is generated which replaces the first execution verify
logic 7 with the second execution verifylogic 47 including the private key acquisition means 36 that acquires the user's private key. - Steps ST44-ST47 are the steps of generating the execution verify logic conversion software, which includes the steps of generating a set of the digital signature of the digital contents, second execution verify
logic 47, and its message identifier, and the link processing of them with the contents. - When the user exploits the actual-use encapsulated contents obtained by applying the execution verify logic conversion software on the trial-use encapsulated contents, the decryption of the encrypted digital contents is carried out as follows: First, the private key acquisition means36 acquires the user's private key from the private key storage means 37 in the
user terminal 2; second, the contents key stored in the contents key storage means 33 is decrypted using the private key; and then, the digital contents in the encapsulated contents are decrypted using the contents key. - In short, the
present embodiment 4 is configured such that the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in thecopyright management agency 10 places in the execution verify logic conversion software the contents key after encrypting it with the user's public key, and the contents are decrypted, when the user exploits them, with the contents key after decrypting the encrypted contents key with the user's private key. This offers an advantage of being able to implement a secure digital contents distribution system from which the distributor cannot easily retrieve the contents key. -
Embodiment 5 - The
embodiment 5 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention will now be described. In this digital contents distribution system, the user can embed his or her own information when replacing the first execution verify logic with the second execution verify logic in the encapsulated contents. - FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an execution verify logic conversion software in the
embodiment 5 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 38, thereference numeral 38 designates the execution verify logic conversion software; 39 designates encapsulated contents verify means for verifying the digital contents and first execution verify logic, which are incorporated into the encapsulatedcontents 6; 40 designates execution verify logic storage means for storing the second execution verify logic which is a new substitute; 41 designates execution verify logic replacing means for replacing the execution verify logic; and 42 designates user information embedding means for embedding the user information. - Next, the operation of the
present embodiment 5 will be described. - FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of generating the execution verify logic conversion software in the digital contents distribution system.
- In step ST51, the digital
contents distribution center 1 acquires, when the user requires to purchase the contents, the user information such as the identifier, name and affiliation of the user. - In the next step ST52, the digital
contents distribution center 1 transmits to thecopyright management agency 10 via theinformation transmission medium 3 the user information obtained in step ST51 together with the specifications of the second execution verify logic. - The subsequent step ST53 generates the execution verify
logic conversion software 38 including logic for embedding the user information into the digital contents, using the electronic watermark. More specifically, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in thecopyright management agency 10 generates the execution verifylogic conversion software 38 that includes the user information embedding means 42 for embedding the user information into the contents when the execution verify logic conversion software is activated. - Since the
present embodiment 5 exploits the user information accompanying his or her purchase request, it can embed precise user information into the execution verifylogic conversion software 38. - Furthermore, the execution verify
logic conversion software 38 includes the user information embedding means 42 for embedding the user information in the present embodiment. This offers an advantage of being able to embed the user information into the contents without any additional complicated procedure, when installing the actual-use contents instead of the trial-use contents. -
Embodiment 6 - The
embodiment 6 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention will now be described. This embodiment relates to the digital contents distribution system that can report charge information to the distributor when replacing the execution verify logic in the encapsulated contents. - FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a structure of execution verify
logic conversion software 48 in thepresent embodiment 6 of the digital contents distribution system in accordance with the present invention. In FIG. 15, the same or corresponding portions to those of FIG. 13 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted here. In FIG. 15, thereference numeral 43 designates charge information providing means for transmitting the charge information from theuser terminal 2 to the digitalcontents distribution center 1 via theinformation transmission medium 3, when replacing the execution verify logic. - Next, the operation of the
present embodiment 6 will be described. - The execution verify
logic conversion software 48 is generated through the following process. First, the specifications of the second execution verify logic, which are generated by the execution verify logic specifications generating means 11 in the digitalcontents distribution center 1, are created such that they include a function to transmits, when the user activates the execution verifylogic conversion software 48, information such as the identifier of the contents, and the user's identifier, name, affiliation and the like, to the digitalcontents distribution center 1 through theinformation transmission medium 3. Second, the logic to implement such a function and the destination address are placed into the specifications of the second execution verify logic. Third, the specifications are transmitted to thecopyright management agency 10 through theinformation transmission medium 3. Finally, the execution verify logic conversion software generating means 5 in thecopyright management agency 10 generates the execution verifylogic conversion software 48 including the chargeinformation providing means 43 in accordance with the specifications. - Thus, the
present embodiment 6 transmits, when the execution verifylogic conversion software 48 is activated, the information such as the user's identifier, name and affiliation, which are stored in advance, together with the identifier of the contents to the digitalcontents distribution center 1. This offers an advantage of being able to charge when the contents is changed from the trial-use to actual-use version, that is, when the latter is installed. - In addition, the
present embodiment 6 is configured such that a tamper free area the user cannot freely rewrite is provided not in the digitalcontents distribution center 1 but in theuser terminal 2, that the tamper free area stores the user information such as his or her identifier, name and affiliation in conjunction with the identifier of the contents, and that the stored information can be obtained when the execution verifylogic conversion software 48 is activated. This offers an advantage of being able to synchronize the installation of the actual-use version and the charge.
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP24675297A JP3623347B2 (en) | 1997-09-11 | 1997-09-11 | Digital content distribution system device |
JP9-246752 | 1997-11-09 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010044780A1 true US20010044780A1 (en) | 2001-11-22 |
US6912512B2 US6912512B2 (en) | 2005-06-28 |
Family
ID=17153137
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/131,386 Expired - Fee Related US6912512B2 (en) | 1997-09-11 | 1998-08-07 | Digital contents distribution system capable of flexibly changing using conditions |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6912512B2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3623347B2 (en) |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040194027A1 (en) * | 2002-12-27 | 2004-09-30 | Akira Suzuki | Computerized electronic document producing, editing and accessing system for maintaining high-security |
US7159113B1 (en) * | 1999-04-22 | 2007-01-02 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Distribution information management system and method |
US7177857B2 (en) | 2000-11-24 | 2007-02-13 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Apparatus and method for creating distribution content |
US20070198430A1 (en) * | 2004-06-15 | 2007-08-23 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. , Ltd. | Data processing device |
US7328345B2 (en) * | 2002-01-29 | 2008-02-05 | Widevine Technologies, Inc. | Method and system for end to end securing of content for video on demand |
US20110058669A1 (en) * | 2003-02-20 | 2011-03-10 | Zoran Corporation | Unique identifier per chip for digital audio/video data encryption/decryption in personal video recorders |
US7962750B1 (en) * | 1998-08-13 | 2011-06-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for tracking end-user electronic content usage |
US20130262323A1 (en) * | 2012-03-30 | 2013-10-03 | Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc. | Method and related apparatus for generating online and printing on-demand compilation of works with automatic copyright verification and certification |
US20130263047A1 (en) * | 2012-03-29 | 2013-10-03 | FiftyThree, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing graphical view of digital content |
US20140189479A1 (en) * | 2013-01-03 | 2014-07-03 | Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. | Content linking |
US8868464B2 (en) | 2008-02-07 | 2014-10-21 | Google Inc. | Preventing unauthorized modification or skipping of viewing of advertisements within content |
US9443067B1 (en) * | 2010-09-07 | 2016-09-13 | Symantec Corporation | System for the distribution and deployment of applications, with provisions for security and policy conformance |
US20160292446A1 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2016-10-06 | Lawlitt Life Solutions, LLC | Data encryption and compression |
US9680865B2 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2017-06-13 | Secret Media Inc. | Reliable user-device content and media delivery apparatuses, methods and systems |
Families Citing this family (35)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4206529B2 (en) * | 1998-09-17 | 2009-01-14 | ソニー株式会社 | Content management method and content storage system |
JP3779837B2 (en) * | 1999-02-22 | 2006-05-31 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Computer and program recording medium |
JP2000357191A (en) * | 1999-06-15 | 2000-12-26 | Hitachi Ltd | Method and system for providing service of electronic map |
CN1304977C (en) | 1999-07-06 | 2007-03-14 | 索尼株式会社 | Data providing system, device, and method |
US7099479B1 (en) | 1999-08-27 | 2006-08-29 | Sony Corporation | Information transmission system, transmitter, and transmission method as well as information reception system, receiver and reception method |
EP1132828A4 (en) | 1999-09-17 | 2007-10-10 | Sony Corp | Data providing system and method therefor |
JP4581219B2 (en) * | 1999-10-25 | 2010-11-17 | ソニー株式会社 | CONTENT PROVIDING SYSTEM, CONTENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD, STORAGE MEDIUM, AND DATA PROCESSING DEVICE |
TW539982B (en) | 1999-10-25 | 2003-07-01 | Sony Corp | Content providing system, content distribution method, and memory medium |
AU6429101A (en) * | 2000-06-15 | 2002-01-02 | Hideki Shima | Software using/managing system and software using/managing control method and software using/managing control system and intangibles using/managing system and software using/managing method and intangibles using/managing method |
AU8244601A (en) * | 2000-08-11 | 2002-02-25 | Nds Ltd | System and method for pre-encryption of transmitted content |
JP3587143B2 (en) * | 2000-08-24 | 2004-11-10 | 日本電信電話株式会社 | INFORMATION USE CONTROL METHOD, DEVICE, AND RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING THE PROGRAM |
US20020082939A1 (en) * | 2000-10-25 | 2002-06-27 | Clark George Phillip | Fulfilling a request for an electronic book |
JPWO2002039654A1 (en) * | 2000-11-09 | 2004-07-29 | 誠一郎 小塚 | Content distribution system, content distribution device, and client device |
US6938005B2 (en) * | 2000-12-21 | 2005-08-30 | Intel Corporation | Digital content distribution |
US7216368B2 (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2007-05-08 | Sony Corporation | Information processing apparatus for watermarking digital content |
KR20030007771A (en) * | 2001-03-29 | 2003-01-23 | 소니 가부시끼 가이샤 | Information processing apparatus |
JP2003085084A (en) | 2001-09-12 | 2003-03-20 | Sony Corp | Contents delivery system and method, portable terminal, delivery server, and recording medium |
JP2003169047A (en) * | 2001-12-03 | 2003-06-13 | Tech Res & Dev Inst Of Japan Def Agency | Encryption device, decryption device, recording medium, encryption method, decryption method, and program making computer execute the methods |
US7139444B2 (en) * | 2002-01-04 | 2006-11-21 | Autodesk, Inc. | Method for applying a digital watermark to an output image from a computer program |
JP2003309554A (en) * | 2002-04-12 | 2003-10-31 | Canon Inc | Information processor, information processing system, information processing method, storage medium, and program |
WO2004053666A1 (en) * | 2002-12-11 | 2004-06-24 | Interlex Inc. | Software execution control system and software execution control program |
JP4512331B2 (en) * | 2003-07-11 | 2010-07-28 | 株式会社リコー | Encapsulated document creation device |
US8812852B2 (en) * | 2003-03-19 | 2014-08-19 | Sony Corporation | Method and system for marking digital content |
US8135795B2 (en) * | 2003-04-03 | 2012-03-13 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method to provide on-demand resource access |
US20040215569A1 (en) * | 2003-04-24 | 2004-10-28 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method to ensure a unique machine serial number |
US7493488B2 (en) * | 2003-07-24 | 2009-02-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method to disable on/off capacity in demand |
US20050066032A1 (en) * | 2003-08-28 | 2005-03-24 | International Business Machines Corporation | Capacity on demand grace period for incompliant system configurations |
JP4438528B2 (en) * | 2004-06-21 | 2010-03-24 | パナソニック株式会社 | Information content download system, function download system, information content download charge system, and function download charge system |
JP2006209689A (en) * | 2005-01-31 | 2006-08-10 | Sony Corp | Data processing circuit |
JP2006019013A (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2006-01-19 | Max International Inc | Method for confirming copy-protective function of cd |
US8082272B2 (en) * | 2006-02-10 | 2011-12-20 | Demand Media, Inc. | Method, system, and computer program product for managing information in a computer network |
JPWO2008133346A1 (en) * | 2007-04-25 | 2010-07-29 | 日本電気株式会社 | Software license management method, communication network system, and software license management program |
US8458460B2 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2013-06-04 | Intel Corporation | Digest generation from instruction op-codes |
JP5372843B2 (en) * | 2010-06-18 | 2013-12-18 | 武史 藤田 | Content utilization apparatus and program |
US9971879B2 (en) * | 2016-05-26 | 2018-05-15 | Adobe Systems Incorporated | Secure recording and rendering of encrypted multimedia content |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
NL9001368A (en) * | 1990-06-15 | 1992-01-02 | Tel Developments B V | SECURITY OF OBJECTS OR DOCUMENTS. |
US5557518A (en) * | 1994-04-28 | 1996-09-17 | Citibank, N.A. | Trusted agents for open electronic commerce |
US5553139A (en) * | 1994-04-04 | 1996-09-03 | Novell, Inc. | Method and apparatus for electronic license distribution |
US5564038A (en) | 1994-05-20 | 1996-10-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for providing a trial period for a software license product using a date stamp and designated test period |
US5579479A (en) | 1994-10-03 | 1996-11-26 | Plum Hall Inc. | Computer software licensing authentication method and apparatus |
US5629980A (en) * | 1994-11-23 | 1997-05-13 | Xerox Corporation | System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works |
US5892900A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1999-04-06 | Intertrust Technologies Corp. | Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection |
JPH08329011A (en) * | 1995-06-02 | 1996-12-13 | Mitsubishi Corp | Data copyright management system |
JPH0922352A (en) * | 1995-07-07 | 1997-01-21 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp | Copyright managing device |
JPH09114786A (en) | 1995-10-13 | 1997-05-02 | Fujitsu Ltd | On-line function restriction cancelling system |
US5991876A (en) * | 1996-04-01 | 1999-11-23 | Copyright Clearance Center, Inc. | Electronic rights management and authorization system |
US6006332A (en) * | 1996-10-21 | 1999-12-21 | Case Western Reserve University | Rights management system for digital media |
US5923754A (en) * | 1997-05-02 | 1999-07-13 | Compaq Computer Corporation | Copy protection for recorded media |
-
1997
- 1997-09-11 JP JP24675297A patent/JP3623347B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1998
- 1998-08-07 US US09/131,386 patent/US6912512B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (19)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7962750B1 (en) * | 1998-08-13 | 2011-06-14 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for tracking end-user electronic content usage |
US7159113B1 (en) * | 1999-04-22 | 2007-01-02 | Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. | Distribution information management system and method |
US7177857B2 (en) | 2000-11-24 | 2007-02-13 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Apparatus and method for creating distribution content |
US7328345B2 (en) * | 2002-01-29 | 2008-02-05 | Widevine Technologies, Inc. | Method and system for end to end securing of content for video on demand |
US20040194027A1 (en) * | 2002-12-27 | 2004-09-30 | Akira Suzuki | Computerized electronic document producing, editing and accessing system for maintaining high-security |
US8705733B2 (en) * | 2003-02-20 | 2014-04-22 | Csr Technology Inc. | Unique identifier per chip for digital audio/video data encryption/decryption in personal video recorders |
US20110058669A1 (en) * | 2003-02-20 | 2011-03-10 | Zoran Corporation | Unique identifier per chip for digital audio/video data encryption/decryption in personal video recorders |
US20070198430A1 (en) * | 2004-06-15 | 2007-08-23 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. , Ltd. | Data processing device |
US8868464B2 (en) | 2008-02-07 | 2014-10-21 | Google Inc. | Preventing unauthorized modification or skipping of viewing of advertisements within content |
US9443067B1 (en) * | 2010-09-07 | 2016-09-13 | Symantec Corporation | System for the distribution and deployment of applications, with provisions for security and policy conformance |
US20130263047A1 (en) * | 2012-03-29 | 2013-10-03 | FiftyThree, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing graphical view of digital content |
US9454296B2 (en) * | 2012-03-29 | 2016-09-27 | FiftyThree, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing graphical view of digital content |
US9971480B2 (en) | 2012-03-29 | 2018-05-15 | FiftyThree, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing graphical view of digital content |
US20130262323A1 (en) * | 2012-03-30 | 2013-10-03 | Konica Minolta Laboratory U.S.A., Inc. | Method and related apparatus for generating online and printing on-demand compilation of works with automatic copyright verification and certification |
US20140189479A1 (en) * | 2013-01-03 | 2014-07-03 | Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. | Content linking |
US9690759B2 (en) * | 2013-01-03 | 2017-06-27 | Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. | Content linking |
US10726194B2 (en) | 2013-01-03 | 2020-07-28 | Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. | Content linking |
US9680865B2 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2017-06-13 | Secret Media Inc. | Reliable user-device content and media delivery apparatuses, methods and systems |
US20160292446A1 (en) * | 2015-04-06 | 2016-10-06 | Lawlitt Life Solutions, LLC | Data encryption and compression |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH1185504A (en) | 1999-03-30 |
US6912512B2 (en) | 2005-06-28 |
JP3623347B2 (en) | 2005-02-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6912512B2 (en) | Digital contents distribution system capable of flexibly changing using conditions | |
EP1286243B1 (en) | Off-line license transmitting and distributing system | |
EP0886409B1 (en) | Information providing system | |
US6807534B1 (en) | System and method for managing copyrighted electronic media | |
US7447914B1 (en) | Method for controlling database copyrights | |
US7551986B2 (en) | Program distribution system, program distribution device, and in-vehicle gateway device | |
JP3130267B2 (en) | How to create a cryptographic envelope | |
US5765152A (en) | System and method for managing copyrighted electronic media | |
US7376624B2 (en) | Secure communication and real-time watermarking using mutating identifiers | |
US7383447B2 (en) | Method for controlling database copyrights | |
EP0706118B1 (en) | Program data protecting method | |
JP3695992B2 (en) | Broadcast receiving apparatus and content usage control method | |
CN101442404B (en) | Multilevel management system and method for license | |
KR20010086038A (en) | Data providing system and method therefor | |
US7412519B2 (en) | Authorized document usage including rendering a protected document | |
JP2003051816A (en) | Contents distribution system, contents distribution method, data processor, data processing method, and computer program | |
JPH1131130A (en) | Service providing device | |
US20070044157A1 (en) | Distribution control method and distribution control system for digital information | |
JP2008271564A (en) | Transmission distribution system and transmission distribution method under off-line environment of license | |
CN114726647B (en) | Safe distribution method and system of 4K film content and safe projection system | |
JP2000155735A (en) | Digital content distribution system device | |
JP2001350727A (en) | Contents distribution system | |
US9237310B2 (en) | Method and system digital for processing digital content according to a workflow | |
EP1805570B1 (en) | Methods for improved authenticity and integrity verification of software and devices capable for carrying out the methods | |
JP2005149002A (en) | Method and device for managing content circulation |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MIYAZAKI, KAZUYA;NAKAJIMA, HAUMITSU;NAKAKAWAJI, TETSUO;REEL/FRAME:009389/0817 Effective date: 19980731 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, JAPAN Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NAME OF THE SECOND ASSIGNOR RECORDED AT REEL 9389, FRAME 0817;ASSIGNORS:MIYAZAKI, KAZUYA;NAKAJIMA, HARUMITSU;NAKAKAWAJI, TETSUO;REEL/FRAME:009787/0326 Effective date: 19980731 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20130628 |